Annual Declarations are an essential part of managing your SFI and Countryside Stewardship agreements. They confirm to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) that you are complying or expect to comply with the requirements of your agreement for the year. Submitting your declaration on time is key to receiving your full payment, and understanding exactly what it involves will help you avoid delays or compliance issues.
This guide answers the big questions farmers are asking us around Annual Declarations and gives you clear steps for completing them correctly.
What is an Annual Declaration?
An Annual Declaration is your formal confirmation to the Rural Payments Agency (RPA) that you have complied, or expect to have complied, with your SFI agreement’s obligations for that year. It is how you tell the RPA that you have managed the actions and land parcels as agreed. GOV.UK
With agreements under the Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), you must submit one every year of your agreement, whether it lasts 3 or 5 years. GOV.UK
For Countryside Stewardship revenue claims, an Annual Declaration confirms the details of your claim for that payment year. GOV.UK
How JustFarm helps with Annual Declarations
Annual Declarations are simple in theory, but in practice they often get missed or rushed because they rely on good organisation throughout the year. This is where JustFarm helps reduce risk and pressure.
Why Annual Declarations matter
Annual Declarations are more than a form to fill in. They:
- Confirm you have complied with what you agreed to do
- Trigger the final payment instalment for that agreement year
- Help avoid breaches or payment delays
Under SFI rules, if you do not submit your declaration within the required time period, the RPA may delay your final instalment or regard it as a breach of your agreement. GOV.UK
Submitting on time keeps your scheme year on track and helps ensure that your evidence and records are ready for compliance checks if needed.
All your scheme information in one place
Instead of logging into multiple systems or searching through emails and paperwork, JustFarm keeps your SFI and Countryside Stewardship actions, parcels and timelines clearly organised. When your Annual Declaration opens, you can quickly see what actions were active, where they were applied and what the agreement expects you to have delivered.
When do I need to submit an Annual Declaration?
For SFI agreements
Annual Declarations must be submitted towards the end of each agreement year, typically within the last two months of that year. The exact period varies depending on when your agreement started. GOV.UK
For example, if your agreement starts in January, your Annual Declaration usually becomes available on 1 November and must be submitted by 31 December. The window shifts later in the year for actions starting at other times. GOV.UK
The RPA will notify you by email or in the Rural Payments service when your Annual Declaration is ready. GOV.UK
For Countryside Stewardship
If your scheme involves a revenue claim under Countryside Stewardship, you create your Annual Declaration online through the RPA service when the claim period opens. You cannot amend your claim after submitting your declaration. GOV.UK
Automatic reminders so deadlines are not missed
JustFarm tracks your agreement start dates and scheme years, so we know when your Annual Declaration window is approaching. We send timely reminders to make sure you know when it is live and when it needs to be submitted. This helps avoid last minute scrambles and missed deadlines that can delay payments.
How do I submit an Annual Declaration?
Step-by-step for SFI
- Receive your Annual Declaration reminder from JustFarm
JustFarm tracks your agreement dates and sends a notification when your Annual Declaration window is approaching, so you know it is time to act and do not miss the deadline. - Log in to the Rural Payments service when the Annual Declaration is ready. GOV.UK
- From your business dashboard, find your SFI agreement. GOV.UK
- Click View Annual Declaration. GOV.UK
- Confirm either that you have complied or expect to have complied with your obligations, or explain why you could not meet them. GOV.UK
- Submit your declaration before the deadline. GOV.UK
Step-by-step for Countryside Stewardship
- Receive your Annual Declaration reminder from JustFarm
JustFarm tracks your agreement dates and sends a notification when your Annual Declaration window is approaching, so you know it is time to act and do not miss the deadline. - Log in to the Rural Payments service. GOV.UK
- Go to Business overview and scroll to the Countryside Stewardship claims section. GOV.UK
- Click Create Annual Declaration or Create CS Revenue Payment Claim for the relevant year. GOV.UK
- Agree or choose to amend before submitting. GOV.UK
What happens if I submit late or don’t submit?
Under SFI rules:
- If you miss the declaration deadline, the RPA may delay your fourth payment instalment or consider it a breach of your agreement. GOV.UK
- If you have a valid reason for non-compliance, you should explain this in writing when submitting your declaration, and the RPA will review your information. ruralpayments.blog.gov.uk
- You cannot amend your Annual Declaration after submission without contacting the RPA. defrafarming.blog.gov.uk
Late or missing submissions can affect your cashflow and compliance status, so planning ahead is critical.
Clear records for inspections and follow ups
If your agreement is selected for inspection after your Annual Declaration, JustFarm makes it easy to pull together clear records. Maps, actions, dates and supporting evidence are already linked, which helps demonstrate what was done, where and when.
This reduces reliance on memory and avoids the stress of trying to reconstruct decisions months later.
What evidence should back an Annual Declaration?
Annual Declarations rely on a good set of records. When asked for proof, you should be able to show:
- Field records and logs
- Dated photos and maps
- Invoices and costs linked to actions
- Notes on timing, methods and decisions
If you cannot show evidence when asked, then compliance becomes difficult to demonstrate in an inspection. Evidence that shows timing, location and how an action meets its aim is what inspectors expect.
Evidence built up over time, not rushed at declaration
Annual Declarations rely on being able to demonstrate compliance if asked. JustFarm helps you store and organise evidence as you go, including photos, notes and field records. This means that when you submit your declaration, your evidence already exists and is easy to find if the RPA requests it later.
A single photo taken at the end of the year is rarely enough. Evidence that shows timing, consistency and intent over the year is far stronger, and JustFarm is designed to support that approach.
Common Annual Declaration FAQ
Do I need to submit one for each year of my SFI agreement?
Yes. For every year of your agreement, including first and subsequent years, an Annual Declaration is required. GOV.UK
When will I know it is available?
The RPA will notify you when the Annual Declaration period opens in the Rural Payments service. GOV.UK
What if I could not do all my actions?
Select ‘No’ when confirming compliance and provide an explanation for why you could not meet the requirements. The RPA will review the information. ruralpayments.blog.gov.uk
Can I submit before the window opens?
No. You must wait until the RPA tells you that the declaration is live in the Rural Payments service. GOV.UK
Summary: Annual Declarations in a nutshell
Annual Declarations are the mechanism by which you confirm your compliance for that scheme year. They must be completed online in the Rural Payments service within the specified window. Submitting on time and accurately gives you the best chance of receiving your final payment instalment and being ready for any compliance checks later.
Being organised, keeping evidence up to date and checking your agreement start dates will make Annual Declarations far less stressful and far more reliable.
Confidence when confirming compliance
When you reach the point of submitting your Annual Declaration through the Rural Payments service, JustFarm gives you confidence that your records reflect what has happened on the ground. You still submit directly through the RPA system, but you do so knowing your information is organised, complete and backed up.
